Dutch Ambassador of Washington D.C. Visits St.Eustatius

In Picture from left to right, Act. Lt. Governor Mr. Louis Brown, Lt. Governor Mr. Hyden Gittens, Dutch Ambassador of Washington D.C., drs. Christiaan Kroner, Minister of Plenipotentiary, of Washington D.C., Mr Norberto Ribeiro LL.M, STDF Director of Tourism Lady Alida Francis
Dutch Ambassador of Washington D.C., drs. Christiaan Kroner paid a short visit to St.Eustatius on Wednesday May 29th 2008. Accompanying the Ambassador, was the Minister of Plenipotentiary, of Washington D.C., Mr Norberto Ribeiro LL.M. His itinerary included St.Maarten Saba and St.Eustatius. The Ambassador was met at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Airport by the second Acting Lt. Governor, Mr Louis Brown and Mrs Mercedes Lopes-Spanner of the Protocol Department. The Ambassador drs. Christiaan Kroner met with the Lt. Governor, Mr Hyden Gittens, and after his session with the Lt. Governor, lunch followed at the Old Gin House, courtesy of the Executive Council including, Island Council Member, Mr Clyde van Putten. The Ambassador concluded his visit with an island tour. This was the Ambassador's first visit to the island. After a full day's programme, the Ambassador and the Minister departed for Saba on the afternoon flight. The Ambassador, and the Minister spent a day on St.Maarten and return to Washington D.C. on Saturday May 31st 2008.

Roads Restoration of Oranjestad 17th Century Look

Van Tonningen Weg
Paramira Weg
Fort Oranjestraat

Oranjestad Road Restoration Project
The restoration of Oranjestad road project has started to take shape. This is especially so, in collaboration with the Historical Core Project which begun in 1996 for the restoration of a section of the traditional gingerbread houses in vaous locations in downtown Oranjestad. In the first quarter of 1997, a Monument Ordinance for the whole island was presented to the Executive Council and Island Council for approval. The Executive Council and the Island Council approved the ordinance. The road restoration project begun in October 2006. The roads taken into account and approved for the road restoration project are; a section of Fort Oranjestraat, Wilhelminaweg, a section of Van Tonningenweg, short section of Pararmiraweg, Emmaweg, Kerkweg, Breedeweg, and Damsteeg. Van Tonningenweg, Wilhelminaweg, Emmaweg, Daamsteeg and Pararmiraweg is now completed, leaving Fort Oranjestraat, Kerkweg, and Breedeweg to be completed. Both projects have been financed by Dutch Development Funds. Planning Bureau is coordinating the project and is scheduled to be completed in August or September 2008. Oranjestad has really taken on a brand new look. The town of Oranjestad has already the look of an attractive antique town of the 17th and 18th century.

Minister of Traffic & Waterways Ir. Mr. C. Eurlings Visits St.Eustatius

In picture left to right: Commissioner of Finance, Mr Roy Hooker, Minister of Traffic and Waterways, Ir. Camiel M.P.S. Eurlings, and Director of Tourism, Lady Alida Francis.


Minister of Traffic and Waterways of the Netherlands, Ir. Camiel Eurlings and his delegation comprising of eight government officials made a one day introductory visit to St.Eustatius on June 6th 2008. The delegation was comprised of the following; Ir. J.F. de Leeuw, Inspector General, Ing. P. Langebaerd, Mr. R. Annaert, L. Poppes, Ir. T. Franssen, Mevrouw mr. M. Stegeman, and Mr. R. Vermaas, Representative of the Netherlands. The purpose of his visit was a working visit. The programme included, Lunch with the members of the Executive Council and the Island Secretary at Blue Bead Restaurant, a tour of the harbour, Fort Oranje, the Dutch Reformed Church, Fort de Windt, and Statia Oil Terminals NV NuStar. A Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.), was also signed with regards to the development of the harbour and the airport between the Island Government and the Dutch Government. Despite of his busy itinerary, Ir. Camiel Eurlings enjoyed his stay and made this comment; St.Eustatius is absolutely unique, I will return shortly with my family. After his short stay on the island, Minister Ir. Mr C. Eurlings and his delegation left for St.Maarten at 17:15pm.

2008 SUMMERFEST SCHEDULE